The Famous Boxer Who Killed His Close Friend
The life of James Butler
On November 23, 2001, at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan, New York. Two boxers, James Butler and his opponent, Richard “The Alien” Grant face each other in a charity match. The event was for the benefit of surviving New York firemen and police officers of September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City.
Unfortunately, by an unanimous decision, Butler lost the match to Richard Grant. While Richard Grant celebrated, Butler had his gloves removed. Richard Grant walked over to Butler’s side of the ring for an expected exchange of congratulations.
But Butler had another thing in mind, instead of shaking the hand of his opponent, he sucker-punched the unsuspecting Richard Grant, nailing a barehanded right hook to his jaw. Richard Grant suffered a temporarily dislocated jaw and a lacerated tongue that required 26 stitches. Butler was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. Butler was later convicted and served four months at Rikers Island detention facility.
Three years later, the body of a freelance sports writer named Sam Kellerman was found on the 17th of October in his home in Hollywood and all hands were pointed at the direction of James Butler.
